Ejection gun tubes for Martin-Baker
Keywords: Gun tubes, Ejection seats
Specialist distributor TW Metals reports that it has won approval from Martin-Baker Aircraft Company Limited for the supply of ejection seat gun tubes.
The aluminium tubes are supplied with a high quality external surface finish,specified by Martin- Baker for this application. Technical liaison and product development between TW Metals and Martin-Baker engineers has produced a surface finish which eliminates the potential for external pitting. This has led to significant improvements in both productivity and yield in the manufacture of gun tubes.
When the ejection seat is activated, charges in left and right hand gun tubes are initiated and the tubes, acting as telescopic guides, allow the seat to be lifted clear of the aircraft. Dimensional tolerances, surface finish and overall tube quality are therefore critical. At the end of the gun stroke, the underseat rocket motor fires in order to complete the escape sequence and provide sufficient height to successfully place the pilot on a parachute (Plate 15).
TW Metals is supplying cut to length aluminium tube in four sizes.
Plate 15 The Martin Baker ejection seat uses gun tubes supplied by TW Metals
